After packing the national stadium for performances in their home country of Sierra Leone, African superstars Bajah + the Dry Eye Crew are poised to conquer the global airwaves with their international debut album (due out in early 2011) and their unique sound, which blends the swagger and funk of hip-hop, the passion and energy of dancehall, and the socially conscious vibe of reggae.

In Sierra Leone, the term dry eye is an expression of boldness. “The kids that always try to ask questions and want to know things are the dry eye. If you always coming up to talk to the elder people, trying to ask them certain questions, they say, ‘Oh, you, you’re dry eye,’ like, ‘You’re too bold!’” Bajah explains. “But we just use dry eye because we decide to talk about the bad things going on. Cause the leaders, we take them as our fathers–but we still gonna say some things, the reality. We're just gonna stand, no matter what. No more tears in the eye. We’re just gonna stay dry eye and say something. You understand? That’s strong."

"We talk about different things,” Bajah continues. “We talk about love. We talk about life, social problems. Music is about life.” Download free mix tape

Original score byMax Avery Lichtenstein

Max Avery Lichtenstein is a film composer whose melodic sensibilities, understated arrangements and creative recording techniques infuse a special character into the movies his scores accompany. His music can be heard in critically-acclaimed films such as TARNATION,THE KING,JESUS' SON,LOOT and FAR FROM HEAVEN. He recently completed scoring BORN SWEET, directed by Academy Award winner Cynthia Wade.

Max is also a member of the band Timesbold and writes and performs his own songs under the name Camphor.